The Countdown is On

With 8 days left in Australia, the reality that we’ll be back in Edmonton, Alberta, Canada is starting to sink in.

There will be no more Clean Skins and feeling like the owner is our good buddy!

No more getting to work at 8:55am and leaving as the bell goes.

There will be no more outdoor movie theatres or sunsets at the beach.

No more fish n’ chips that make your mouth water.

No more Swan Valley down the road from our house.

No more Rose n’ Crown.

No more lazy weekends with nothing to do but golf or hit the beach.

No more walking over to our neighbour’s house at any time to for a chat.

No more Breakwater.

No more Freo.

No more Rotto.

No more Lancaster.

No more Sunday Session at Little Creatures.

No more tan lines.

No more racoon eyes that won’t go away no matter how much sun screen or how big of a hat I put on.

No more sunstroke.

No more waking up at 5:30am because that’s when the sun comes up.

No more rounds of golf that cost $18.

No more trips to New Zealand or Vietnam.

No more swimming and snorkelling on remote reefs or beaches.

No more fearing that a shark will come up and bite me!

No more “rat sack”.

No more cockroaches.

No more Margaret River.

No more lovely Aussie friends.

What a year!!

New Zealand

Okay, this was a while ago but it's been a little hard to get these pics up for those not on facebook. Here are a few pictures from our amazing trip to New Zealand.

We started in quaint fishing town of Wellington for the Rugby World Cup where we saw Canada take on the All Blacks. Although we knew we would be treated more like pets, than real hard core fans that posed a threat to the dominant New Zealand side,  it was still an unbelievable experience and Canada represented very well in red and white throughout the city. Even when Canada was leading the All Blacks in the first few minutes of the game, 3-0, we all knew it would be short lived. In any rate both teams played to the best of their ability and we saw some amazing rugby.

In Wellington and loving it

Canadian fans showing our true colours!

"Excuse me, can you hold my tail?"

All Blacks performing the Haka to a united Canadian front

Kleiburger after the game - had no idea where he was

After Wellington we hopped on the Overlander Train which took us on a very scenic 12 hour trip through the heart of the North Island up to Auckland. It is such a beautiful country and reminded me so much of Canada with the pine trees and mountains that for the first time in 9 months I was feeling very homesick.

Mordor  

Picturesque

In Auckland we only had two days to take it all in and decided on a "Waterfalls and Wine Tour".  My two favourite things in the world! We saw some spectacular scenery and finished with a visit to four of the nicer wineries in the region. Unfortunately the region we were in was known for it's Pinot Noirs and Chardonnays... but beggars can't be choosers!

Best part of the tour was when we sat down for lunch and our guide remembered he forgot to pick up someone and left us with two hilarious Americans in this winery for lunch. Let's just say a bottle or two or three was ordered and the rest is a blur!

Who needs photoshop!

Getting a grip on some of the local culture

A Waterfall

Pictures do not do this place justice

Pretending to be Asian tourists after a bottle too many!

Our trip to New Zealand was incredibly short and sweet and left us wanting to go back and explore it properly.

Next exchange... New Zealand!

Whale Watching

With only 6 weeks left we are on the count down to make sure we have done everything we can in Australia. One thing that we had been waiting for all year is the migration of the Humpback Whales down the Indian Ocean. So after finding a Scoopon (best invention in the world) we booked for a three hour, "unforgettable whale watching cruise".

And let me tell you, it was "unforgettable".

With 2 hours and 57 minutes spent holding onto the back of the boat trying to watch the horizon, and not look or listen to the guy beside us vomiting or the kids screaming in agony, we managed to survive the trip with our breakfast intact.

The three minutes of actual "whale watching" was fantastic and we did manage to catch these two shots.

All I have to say is, Thank God for Dramamine!!!!

That's what the Tourists do!!

Yep - sometimes we need to do the touristy thing! Last weekend we headed two hours north of Perth to see the wild flowers and WA's most popular tourist attraction, the Pinnacles.  When we started asking around with our friends and staff, no one we knew had been there because, "That's what the tourists do!"

Regardless, we took out the "big" camera and got some amazing pictures and had a lovely weekend exploring another one of Australia's beautiful sights.

At the Pinnacles

Oh boy...

Oh My...

Alberta?

One of the many wildflowers, "Grandma's Bonnet"

"Donkey flower"

Faith Renewed

Dave and I decided to do the exchange 2 years ago for the experience of doing something completely different. We wanted the challenge and change of living on the other side of the world to explore and teach. We thought about all the potential problems that could arise: the heat, the cost, transportation, traveller's insurance, medical insurance, destinations to travel to and of course those infamous shark attacks!

We had thought of it all.... except the one part that brings in the pay cheque... teaching. For some reason we thought that teaching in Australia wouldn't be THAT different to Canada. I mean it's not as if we're teaching starving or malnourished children in Africa... we're in Australia... the land of sun and surf.  How different could it be??

Well, after nine long months of teaching we can officially say, it is VERY different.

However, as things have ebbed and flowed, and we've become regulars at the local Clean Skins store, things have slowly but surely changed:

• Dave and I have gotten used to not having a computer and instead walk to our "pigeon hole" 3 or 4 times a day to get the news/ updates.
• Print out any funny emails and put them on colleague's desks instead of sending email forwards
• Realizing that if kids are swearing, but it's not at you, it's not the worst thing (ie. ignore it)
• Learning to run to the staff room during recess and having that cup of tea, regardless of what you need to do next period or if you even like tea!
• Putting on your neon vest for supervision in the school yard

However, as we've got used to how things are done here, the students have gotten used to Dave and I. After 3 very long terms of teaching, students are treating Dave and I with respect and go out of their way to say hi or talk to us. It is a complete 180 from where we were 9 months ago and this recent camping trip with 30 grade 12's was the icing on the cake.

Although I don't teach any of the grade 12's, I was asked to supervise the 4 day "bush" camp where we camped, did a world class high ropes course, kayaked down rapids, hiked and relaxed. It was by far the most relaxing and welcoming group of students I've ever met. Instead of sitting around individual camp fires, all the students would come over and sit with the teachers and wanted to hear stories about camping in Canada and of course... the bears! So I told one or two scary bear stories and it was pretty funny to watch the kids jump as the kangaroos jumped around our camp site in the dark! The worst thing these students have are the "wild ducks" that go through the garbage outside the tents while they sleep. DUCKS!! Too funny!

Not only have the kids improved and taken to Dave and I's style of teaching, we've discovered some really important things about the teaching profession and ourselves (I know... very deep and something to discuss over a bottle of wine not a blog!).

In any rate, we have had quite the amazing experience over the past nine months but more importantly, our faith in the Aussie student has been restored... for now! ;)

Walking along a tight rope using all core... didn't get far!

The Australian Bush

Messing around on the ropes course

Trying the climb

Now that's high!! 

Vietnam

Vietnam was amazing.

Hot, humid and amazing.

For 17 days we jet-setted around the country going from South to North and back again.

We did the classic cyclo tour and were ripped off royally.

Cyclo Tour of Ho Chi Minh

We saw temples, tombs and pagodas galore. We saw Ha Long Bay, Cu Chi Tunnels, the Mekong Delta and everything in between. We saw Hat Street, Shoe Street, Idol Street, Blacksmith street, Tin Street and even stayed on Bamboo Mat street.

Ha Long Bay

Great Cao Dai Temple

Tomb of Khai Dinh

We bartered, haggled and Dave even flirted in Vietnamese to get the lowest deal. We ate spring rolls, rice rolls, meat on a stick, meat in a bowl, and meat wrapped in strange leaves. We ate snails, clams, eels on a stick (see previous blog for that lovely picture) and Dave even ate a boiled "unhatched" duck egg.

Dave and Matt eating the "duck"

We met amazing people from around the world and connected with distant family which finally puts a face to many of the names and stories. We met the one year old daughter of Dave's cousin who is studying in Canada trying to bring her family over. We met her father, husband and saw the remarkable resemblance in this precious little girl.

Our motor bike tour to Marble Mountain

Our trip to Vietnam was nothing short of spectacular. We made fabulous friends and reconnected with family. It was literally the trip of a lifetime.

Taking in Ha Long Bay from a kayak

In Sickness and In Health

After 15 amazing days in Vietnam of sightseeing & cultural immersion, Vietnam finally claimed a Tran. Not the Tran that you were all thinking would go down... but Dave "Iron Guts" Tran.


But first we must back up two months when we went for our travel vaccinations. As I loaded up in $400 of shots, Dave refused to get all the vaccinations that I did because as he said, "I'm Vietnamese". 

Famous last words.


Actually Dave... you're Canadian!!


So needless to say Dave ate EVERYTHING in Vietnam and got sesame/ peanut poisoning only once. However, when we visited his family down in the Mekong Delta we were forced to try all the "local" delicacies. Things like snails (and the garden/ sludge kind), clams (not oysters or mussels), eels on a stick (with teeth and eyes still intact). 

Of course we both tried everything and felt instantly ill. However, in order to save face with the family we knocked back a Saigon beer and kept going. Finally, I couldn't do it anymore and stuck to the noodles but Dave was the show pony of the family and had to stick in there. After 3 days of eating like this in 38 degree heat and 99% humidity our bodies were hating us. 

After a painful six hour bus ride back up to Saigon, Dave crashed for two days and then we made the long 20 hour journey back to Perth. It turns out that he simply had a terrible case of traveller's diaaheria, which I was vaccinated against. (I highly recommend everyone get Dukoral before you travel!)

However, as Dave recovered I went down like a ton of bricks. With massive headaches and vertigo for a week, my body finally gave out and I decided to check out the Perth medical system.  Why not?? We have seen so much of Perth, why not meet a few doctors, neurosurgeons, and nurses. After CT scans, IVs and a fabulous  Spinal Tap, I was sent home with the diagnosis of "one hell of a migraine". With my plethora of pills in hand and the best bed side nurse a woman could want, I have recovered... for the most part. 

Looking back at the past month and our pile of medical bills, one thing I know for sure is that Dave and I have fulfilled our vows of taking care of each other in "sickness" this past month!

Good Morning Vietnam

After 10 gruelling weeks in the teaching trenches we are finally off to Vietnam! 

After packing, repacking, ziplock bagging everything, too many vaccinations,  discussions with family in Canada and students studying in Australia going home to Ho Chi Minh for the break, I think we've got everything covered.

We even did a little research on the subject by renting "Good Morning Vietnam". Although we're not sure how much background we gained, we definitely came out of it with a few good quotes! Cole, just expect Skype calls asking you to explain where we are and the significance of it!

I'm not sure what I'm most excited for... the knock off purses, personalized silk dresses and suits or the authentic spring rolls...

Well obviously the spring rolls win!

Time to throw on the backpacks and hit the Nam!

Bali

I love Bali!

I felt like an absolute princess for 6 days and am in love with the Balinese people. They are the most beautiful and sincere people I have ever met. Absolutely beautiful.

I found an unbelievable spa and Mahdei. Mahdei is the best masseuse in Bali and I saw him 3 days straight. I feel cheated I didn't find him before. For $8 I had a 1.5 hr hot stone massage, $7.5 bought me a 1.5 reflexology massage, $6 pedi and mani and $12 for a 1.5 aromatherapy massage. It was heaven.

I didn't buy a lot, even though I definitely could have. If you thought Mexico was fun... It has nothing on this place. I haven't been to Thailand so I can't compare but Bali is magical.

I loved all 30 women... and even though there were a few dramatic moments it was so wonderful to travel with all of them. Especially when Bali belly hit. Nothing like 3 moms clucking around debating which drugs were best. Pretty funny! I'll need to get my doctor friend in Perth to slip me the good stuff for Vietnam.

Some of the highlights were fitting three of us on a motorbike which jumped curbs and sidewalks to take us back to our hotel. We were so scared I think we screamed the whole 4 blocks home! I managed to snap this picture right after we screeched to a halt and nearly flew into the rear window of a van.

For the most part we lied by the pool and ordered drinks which were 10x the price as they were at the bar across the street... but it was so far at the time! 

Next on the agenda: Vietnam in 3 weeks!

Shoes....

One of the biggest things that we've noticed in Perth has been the complete lack of shoes. I'm sure that there are stores that have ample supplies of cross trainers, dress shoes or even thongs. Most malls seem to have several shoe shores packed full of... you guessed it.... shoes. 

My question... why does no one wear them?

We go to the grocery store and half the people (girls and guys) don't have on shoes. 

People go for runs without shoes.

People wear their wetties (wetsuits) and carry their surf boards to the beach for kilometres without shoes.

And more importantly, students come to phys ed and kick off their shoes to do everything from badminton, volleyball, footy, soccer, fitness testing, you name it... they are shoeless for it. 

At first I was so taken back with all the barefooted children and told them they needed to keep their shoes on at all times... but even the teachers don't like wearing shoes. It's the strangest thing. 

We asked our neighbour about it and she agreed, "Shoes are so constricting". She told us she didn't wear shoes growing up, unless it was to go to church or school. 

Well one thing is certain... this shoeless culture must have a booming pedicure industry!!

The Wet

After 5 months of blistering sun, it finally rained! Now it didn't just rain... it was a complete downpour where they got more rain in one day then they had in the entire year combined.

We woke up to thunder and lightning and by the time school started it was a monsoon. We kept the kids in for phys ed for the first period and played a massive game of dodgeball (the first time all year that any classes have been combined) and by the time the second period came I was told to suck it up and take my class outside. 

So I grabbed my pseudo rain coat (fashionable not functional) and took my grade 9 girls down to the oval to play field hockey. The rain had let up and was drizzling nicely as all the girls kicked off their shoes and began dancing in the rain like they were straight out of the movie 'Australia'. Now I'm all up for playing sports in the rain, but I've never seen students take off their shoes and literally run wild with excitement. And it wasn't just my class... the two other boys classes were completely shoeless as well and just as wild playing footy!! However, as the class continued, the rain picked up and started coming in sideways and at one point I felt like Forrest Gump in Vietnam. After a solid 45 minutes and my three layers soaking right through, I pulled the teacher card and called it a day. 

I came home and have been frantically looking for a rain coat since that day thinking I would see more rain this week. Nope... that was it. 

Was that winter??

No wonder the kids were so happy!

Road Trip

After realizing we weren't going to be able to swim with the whale sharks or the giant sea turtles up in Exmouth, we decided to try our luck down South this break.

After a quick stop at clean-skins, we plugged in our GPS and headed towards Albany in Caddy (the car).

Now the most frustrating part of this trip was the fact that we are fact quite avid campers back home. In Edmonton we have all the gear, the chairs, the stoves, the axe, the pots/ pans, coolers.... everything that you could need for a camping trip. However, one little problem.... we're in Australia. Well no worries as the Aussies say. We borrowed a one man tent and air mattress from my school, bought an eskie (on wheels!!) and threw in pillows. What more could we need? Little did we know that we were heading into the storm of the year. Okay, it wasn't the storm of the year but it did rain for 7 days straight!!!

7 days of rain in a one man tent with no tarp! Somehow we managed to stay relatively dry.... Dave took the leaky side.

We spent to the first two nights at Shelley's beach outside of Albany. Somehow we got the best spot at this little gem of a campsite on the ocean. As the sun was setting (at 5pm!) we hustled to cook our food on the communal barbie and then hid in our tent until 5am when the sun came up or for the rain to stop.

View from our tent on Shelley's

It just so happened that we were in Albany having breakfast when we realized that we were there for Anzac day. It was not only surreal to be experiencing Anzac day in Australia but to be in Albany was by no means a coincidence. During WWI, the Australian ships would travel to NZ and the East coast collecting troops before heading over to Albany to collect any WA soldiers. For many Aussies, Albany was the last view they had of Australia before heading into battle in Europe. Many, many soldiers never came home. The service was beautiful and very touching and the rain and fog of the morning only added to the very powerful ceremony. It was so nice to know that Remembrance Day is celebrated in other countries with such respect.

ANZAC Memorial

After Albany we headed to Denmark (no, not the country) where we discovered another completely hidden wine region! Needless to say we went for our own wine tour and had a very, very fun afternoon. Besides wine, we did the Tree Top Walk where you can walk 60 ft above the ground in amongst giant Karri trees.

Standing 60 ft in the air with the giant Karri trees

We also saw the Gap, a massive crevice of granite and the Natural Bridge which was absolutely spectacular.

Holding the Gap open

 A Leprechaun on the Natural Bridge

After camping for 4 nights in the pouring rain we decided it was time for a real shower (mostly I wanted a TV to watch the Royal Wedding). We headed to the Karri Valley Resort and it was breathtaking. It was the JPL without the mountains but the kangaroos made up for it. Dave fished (and still says there was no fish in the entire lake) and I got to watch all 10 hours of the Royal Wedding uninterrupted!

Karri Valley Resort

Skip the local Joey 

Dave trying to catch some dinner

Overall, we absolutely loved the trip down south but we're even happier to be back home in the sun!

Sneaky Aussies...

For the last four months or so we have been living in a bubble.

Everyone had us convinced that WA (Western Australia) is nothing but a bunch of country loving, laid back Aussie's that don't do much on their vacations. WOW! Were we wrong!

Our first vacation is here after 12 gruelling weeks of teaching and we had plans to head up North to Exmouth and swim with the whale sharks, snorkel with the sea turtles, and be complete beach bums. The only problem with that plan... everyone and their grandmother thought of it too.

We started looking a month or two ago for hostels or campsites to stay at: booked. Then I looked at hotels: booked. Then I thought okay, tours: booked. Well what about the $400 swim with the whale shark snorkel trip; the guy just laughed at me... booked months ago.

So apparently these Aussies have been pulling the wool over our eyes as they had their trips booked years in advance.

On the upside, perhaps this is our saving grace. Mom and Dad just left after 4 weeks with us and I don't think we cooked or stayed at home more than 2 nights the entire month. Weekends were spent in Swan Valley, Margaret River, Rotto and weekdays were spent doing everything in between.... including teaching.

Our first day of holidays were spent golfing Perth's number one rated course, Joondalup. After a stellar round we came home to left over Indian food and had a three hour nap (well, I did). We then headed off to our beach volleyball game and destroyed the competition. We played the whole "we don't have sand in Canada" card and it was over before it even started! ;)

With the North ruled out, we're heading South for our holidays. We plan to play a little more golf, head to Yanchep National Park to see the Koalas, then head South to the Karri Forest and Albany (the first settled place in WA). If anything, we'll get some sun, fail at surfing at Golden Bay, drink wine in the valley, and climb some really, really old trees in the Karri Forest.

Needless to say we're booking our trip to Vietnam in July asap!

It's Official

Well, it's official... Jordan and I are officially coming back home to Edmonton for a white Christmas.  Reality is... beer and bananas are WAY too expensive here in Perth. Actually, now that I think about it, there are a lot of things that are expensive here. For instance, my mother was complaining (on Skype) that another 20cm of snow just fell the night before. So, I asked her if she was driving my Xterra truck to work.  She said absolutely not! The gas in Edmonton is SO expensive at $1.18/L... it's ridiculous and astronomical!  Well, when I explained to my mom that gas in Perth is at a whopping $1.51/L, she literally fell out of her chair!  But going back to the bananas, because Perth is hardcore on local products, most of the bananas come from Queensland... now if you have been following the news as of late, Queensland had a massive flood this summer and completely wiped out the majority of its crops. As a result, bananas were costing $18.00 per kg (that's like $4 for 1 banana). So the running joke is that if you see a bloke with a banana, you automatically assume he's rich! Needless to say, Jordan and I get leg cramps almost every week! So when you're throwing out those half eaten bananas at home, don't think about those poor African kids... think about us!! Banana deprived down under.

Things at school are getting much better!  Besides the recent fire bombing in the school yard a few weeks ago, things have settled down.  Kind of a funny story but basically it was a Friday afternoon and the kids had an English test last block. So instead of wagging class, they decided to lite up the school yard and evidently smoke out the entire English building. Now, here is the funny part... instead of moving the kids to the footy oval, they call for all students to move into the gym.  Yup... school's on fire... let's move all the kids to the gym.  Now that I think about it, I don't think there was even a fire alarm... I think the kid just ran out of the classroom screaming FIRE!!! Needless to say, the fire was contained and classes actually resumed 40 minutes later. 

It is finally autumn and I am now wearing t-shirts at home.  The day still gets quite toasty but not as humid as in February.   We did get our first taste of rain a couple days ago, and even though it was only for 5 minutes, that was the most rain Perth has received in the past 3 years.  Seriously, we're in a draught and water conservation is a BIG thing! 

So no more questions about whether or not we're ever coming home... the flights are booked and we'll be there bringing in Christmas and New Year's with a bang! It's official. 

The Sea was Angry!

Well I just got back from my first camping trip with the grade 11's. Instead of heading to a mountain range or a little Yowocas campsite, we caught the ferry and headed out to Rottnest Island for two days. The island, "Rotto", is Perth's little getaway 45 mins from shore. It is 15 km long and no cars or animals are allowed on the island. The main mode of transportation is biking and after two days of riding this rental antique around the island 8 times, I can hardly sit down!!

The whole experience was great, except the little part where you needed to catch a ferry to and from the island. Let's just say that I am officially a "land lubber"! At 8am the wind was howling and the sea was angry! So with my trusty pack of dremamine I doped up and was ready for the ride. As soon as we pulled out of the dock it was as if we were on a rollercoater of death at some ridiculous amusement park. 15 out of the 40 kids were all jockying for a spot over the back rail where they could vomit.

I have to say at that moment, as teacher and student were side by side throwing up any resemblance of breakfast, there is a sort of bonding that occurs. It could take weeks, even months to build a relationship with students, however as we all hung our heads over the side I can honestly say I will be linked to these kids forever.

Skippy!

Australians are obsessed with "America" and want to know all about what life is like in "America". The fact that we're from Canada doesn't matter!

The fact they imitate iconic American TV shows is no surprise. However, some things just shouldn't be messed with...

Today we turned on the TV and instead of Lassie... it was Skippy!!

Skippy is the Australian kangaroo who saves young children that have fallen into the local well or billabong.

"What's that Skippy? Johnny's is the well???"

Hop, hop, hop.... scratch, scratch, scratch.

Yep, that's Australia!

HILARIOUS!!!

See Australia and Die???

Dave was given this book called "See Australia and Die" before we left. It was more of a gag gift I think but I have to say it is turning out to be my life.

The book relates stories of how tourists come to Australia and something in the wild, usually something ridiculous, ends up killing them.

Now I'm being dramatic but today I was teaching volleyball to my grade 11s. We were kicked out of the gym again for some random reason and had to set up the net outside in the field. The only problem was that it was 35 degrees and climbing at 11am and the kids wanted to play in the shade.

I surveyed the scene, like the professional I am, and said that we should play in the little clearing in the treed area. Once I finally got everyone playing and into the game I took my position as ref which happened to be under a 20 ft tall tree.

I can't really explain what happened or how I knew what was going on above me, but as I'm refing the game, I heard an enormous "SNAP" and knew instantly that the tree above me was falling. Without looking up, I put my hands over my head and bolted the 15 feet I needed as this enormous branch broke off the tree and landed right where I was standing!! Thank goodness no kids were in the area!

The kids all looked at me and yelled, "Miss, you almost died!" Once I realized what happened I was impressed with my cat-like reflexes and just started laughing!  Next thing I know the whole school thinks I'm spider woman for escaping this near death experience!

The snap and crash was so loud that the automotives teacher heard it from his shop across the field and came out. The gardener then came and needed a tractor to pull the branch away!

And like the good PE teacher I am, we finished the game!!

If it's not the heat, humidity, jellyfish, stingers or students trying to kill me... it's the trees!!!

The Magic of Margaret River

Well, we finally left the bustling city of Perth headed down south for a little R&R in wine country. Only problem... every other Australian had the same idea!!

Our 3 hour trip turned into a 7 hour marathon where Dave and I exhausted our Ipod playlist. We wanted to leave perth at a decent time so that we wouldn't be driving at night with all the jumping roos looking to end their lives... or so we heard! Luckily we made it into Margaret River without any sighting. It was the next day that we saw the highway littered with dead roos on the side of the road (they might be dumber than deer)!

It turns out that Michael Buble was in town for a concert at a winery where he played for 12,000 people. The little strip of Margs double in population over night! Margaret River has a very Canmore feel to it but with no mountains... just vineyards.

We stayed with another couple, John and Annette, on exchange from Nanaimo and it was wonderful to talk to other Canadians without having someone make fun of our accents (ridiculous really since we don't have accents!) We hit up a few wineries, breweries, and of course saw the amazing surfing beaches. Dave and I have resided to the fact that no matter how athletic, how good of a swimmer we think we are, we are not surfers. All that work to paddle out through the crashing waves, sit and wait for the perfect wave hoping there was no shark sighting today, only to stand up for 30 seconds!!!  Ridiculous!

Back to Margaret River. One thing about being out of the city is the chance to finally see dozens and dozens of kangaroos roaming around. Watching them jump through the fields is absolutely hilarious as they really do look like they are out of a cartoon. One of the best things about the trip was staying at the house which is on 8 acres and having the roos roam around the backyard. Mamas and joeys and even the boomer himself made an appearance. It was magical.

Good thing we get to do it all over again in three weeks when Mom and Dad come!

Margo... here we come!

Off to Margaret River this long weekend.... should be fun to hang out with Canadians that speak proper english!  I just hope beer is cheaper in the south!

If I was principal...

If I was principal of a school, I would...

1) Start school at 9:15am... but have a morning homeroom challenge until 9:45am and then start teaching around 10ish. Truth is, most kids are more alert at this time.
2) Incorporate morning tea after first block...  so about 11ish.  This would be a 30 minute session where teachers must sit in a round table, drink tea or coffee, and discuss differentiated learning strategies.
3) Make classes only 50 mins! The attention span of students are optimum in this time frame.
4) Remove all technology from the classroom... no computers, no projectors, and even no landline phones. Ok... maybe leave the AC. We should be more focused on the kids and not emailing/facebooking on school time!
5) Every week, there will be a 30 minute assembly... and classes will be shortened to 45 minutes to compensate... we will still keep the 30min morning tea though.
6) Re-introduce the "Time Out" room... even in high school.
7) School will end at 3:30 every day, and staff are to leave the school grounds at 4:00pm before the cleaners close the school gates.

If I was principal...

Proud or Just Stupid!???

In Canada, most people are proud of how cold it gets and how they can manage   -35 or even -40 on those rare days. I remember that one day in university when it dropped to -40 and I still bundled up in my snowboarding gear, touque, goggles and all, and made the 25 minute walk to class. When I got there it was a badge of honour to say that I made it to school that day! In a city where there is snow on the ground for 7 months of the year, you're proud that you can handle what mother nature throws at you and that life just carries on.

Although most Australians can't even imagine what -10 feels like, they are equally proud of how they whether the heat. As a little Canadian who has seen +40 degrees only once (Mexico, July 2009 for Kristen's wedding!) I have been in for quite the treat teaching Phys Ed here in Perth.

Students constantly ask if I'm okay as they look at the sweat pouring down my face, the sunscreen dripping off my arms and legs, and my gigantic hat which is always soaked to the brim. My normal response is "it's just soooo hot today!" The students, and even the staff, laugh a little and talk of the worst to come and those +40 days... or even higher. "This is just the warm up," they say.

Just as they can't fathom -40, I can't fathom +40.

Today, however, I discovered just how hot it can get. 

After riding my bike the 12 km to Carine in 35 degrees at 8am, I  taught swimming at the outdoor pool, then volleyball in the sauna of a gym and by lunch it was too late. 39 degrees and 40 % humidity. I jumped into the water to cool down but my body was done. I walked to my afternoon class and was pretty embarrassed as 25 sixteen year olds told me I had sunstroke and made me go lie down. After walking into the air conditioned Phys Ed office it was pretty apparent that my little Canadian body was fed up with the heat. Thankfully I was driven home asap and put in front of the air conditioner and rotating fans with a bottle of gatorade.

Now that I've recovered a bit, the look on the faces of my students was pretty funny as their teacher literally goes down for the count in front of them! Silly Canadian!

It does make me wonder why are we so proud of the ability to handle abnormal temperatures? No one gets a medal for living in insanely cold or hot temperatures and frankly I don't think getting sunstroke while at work even merits bragging rights.

Tomorrow's plan... board shorts and a rashie... and to teach IN the pool. 

8 down...44 to go

Before we started this adventure, a former exchangee and colleague of mine gave us two words of advice... 1) line of credit and 2) it's only 52 weekends.  In the midst of regularity and routine, we are truly excited for the weekends as there is something to do every night.  In fact, I can't even remember what we did LAST weekend! (Oh, something about an Opera in the park???)  On Friday past, we headed to the city (downtown) to check out the Perth International Arts Festival opening show. Thinking it was going to be small, we ended up in the crowd of 500 000 people on the Supreme Courts Grounds watching a vast display of art and fireworks. Saturday was supposed to be a relaxed day... so we headed to Swan Valley for a picnic at Upper Reach Wineries. Well it turns out to be the most majestic, almost photoshop, evening we've ever had!  Cheese, wine, live Cuban music, food, little kids dressed in angel wings dancing on the grass, old couple salsa dancing in the corner, sunset in our eyes, and the trophy wife as the skipper.  Today, I'm skipping water polo practice to witness my first ever Aussie Rules game.  Go Eagles Go... which is evidently much like the Oilers... in last place!

Dave

I almost died tonight... again... yup, just mind-wandering while driving and whoops... CRICKEY... on the other side of the damn road.  If it wasn't for the miniature roundabouts, I wouldn't be here to tell my quirky stories.

1. So on the very first days of living here, we saw a bunch of guys walking out of the liquor store with a case of VB.  Hey... don't they drink VB here in Australia?  Isn't VB the international sign of Australian beer? So, moments later, here I am with a case of VB.  A few days later, we have a BBQ with the Carine phys ed staff.  Here's my chance to impress... out comes the marinated steak, the thai noodle salad, and a case of cold brew VB beer!  Let's just say the response from the true Aussie faithful was not what I was expecting.  It turns out that VB is the lowest totem on the beer pole, the kid that always gets picked last at table tennis, and the international sign of "WTF"!  From there, I've been educated on drinking more respectful beverages like Little Creatures and Crown Lager.  Now that I think about it, those guys we saw on the first night were like 18 years old... hmmmm.  Stay thirsty my friends.

2. Why did I ever think of bringing sweaters to Australia??? I must say, showering 3 times a day feels so amazing!!! I've never been so clean in my life!

3. No shoes? No shirt? Is there an "issue" papa?

4. Made my famous BBQ turkey meatloaf the other day... popped it in the oven and baked it at 350'F... then discovered halfway that there is no Fahrenheit in Australia and everything is in Celsius!!! Whoops... one burnt meatloaf coming up!

Dave

Work to live... Now there's an idea!

After living here for four or five weeks, we have really noticed a huge lifestyle change from Edmonton to Perth. One thing that everyone said before we left was that Australians don't work that hard. Well, I definitely don't agree with that statement but I do think they have the system figured out.

I'm not sure if it's the weather, the beach, the fact that there are NO shops open past 5:30pm, or the inherent culture of Perth, but everyone has a serious social and extracurricular life.  Whether it's surfing/ running/ walking on the paths before work at 8am or playing lawn bowls, tennis, or golf after work, it feels like EVERYONE is doing something active every day.

I've never thought that I was a sedentary person but moving here has put Dave and I to shame with our former routine.

The kids are absolutely fascinated about Canada and ask how we can carry on normal lives below 0 degrees. I have had to explain several times what a touque is and why it's not just fashion but a serious part of the Canadian wardrobe.  They want to know what kids in Canada are like, what they're interested in and if our schools are what they see in the movies. In Perth, there are no lockers, just a canteen and no cafeteria for them to sit at, outdoor "hallways", an outdoor pool, cricket and rugby pitches. They think because I'm from North America that I am a cheerleader or know how to cheer to which I reply, "HA!" and leave it at that. Damn Glee!

One thing that I find so interesting about Perth is that although it is bustling around 1.5 million people and the largest city on this side of the continent, it still has a very small town feeling. They have voted against daylight savings numerous times, as well as voting against extending "trading hours" past 5:30pm. One mall apparently tried to stay open until 8pm but no one went and they changed their hours back. So you buy your food right after work and only go shopping on Saturdays (if you can be bothered to leave the beach).

After a long month of learning the ropes, we are definitely making the mind shift from "Live to Work" to the much more civilized, "Work to Live".

In the mean time, there are some of us that have to work during the day to pay the rent... good thing I got on with a surfing class in the morning to break up the day! :)

A Language of Their Own!

One of the things Dave and I thought when got the exchange to Australia was, "At least we don't have to learn another language!" Wow, were we wrong!

Here are a few of the words we've picked up so far:

• Skipper is not the captain of a ship - it's the DD
• Skip - not the DD but an Australian
• Wagging is to skip class. Also used as "he's a wagger" or "what a wag"
• Boot - the trunk of the car
• Bob - the internet and phone connection
• Staunch - to crouch 
• Push bike - a bicycle
• Tomato sauce - the equivalent to ketchup but NOT!
• Grog - pretty obvious- alcohol
• Ute - a pick up truck
• 4x4 - an SUV
• Fanny - a women's privates (never use the phrase "fanny pack" down here!)
• Rubber - definitely not what you think it is! An eraser
• Esky - cooler
• Yobbo - an aggressive person - usually a student
• Rack off - to get mad
• Bathers - swim suits
• Lollies - Candies (not just lolly pops)
• Ripper - "what a ripper" you can come up with your own ideas on that one!
• Roo - kangaroo
• Boomer - a male kangaroo
• Bush - is not really the bush... it's the countryside
• Jumper - sweater
• Grundies - underwear
• Knock back - to refuse 
• Docket - the bill
• Chips - fries
• Crisps - chips
• Scroggan - trail mix
• And my personal favorite... DINKUM - genuine or real! Fair Dinkum!

There are so many words that we're hearing for the first time every day that I'm sure this is a very primitive list. 

So when they say we can't speak language... they're right eh!

The Secret??

Yesterday, while I was at the pool suntanning as Dave trained with his waterpolo team, it occurred to me that three years ago I made the comment, "I would just love to go to Australia where you can play waterpolo and I can come watch you while I tan by the pool".

Now if that isn't The Secret I don't know what is. I'm not saying I believe in the Oprah endorsed book or follow the The Secret Cult, but I do think that when you put it out into the universe it somehow hears you and with a little blood, sweat, and definitely some tears, it will come to be.

School has been in for a week and both Dave and I are settling in quite nicely. We can't quite get over the fact that there are daily surfing classes, morning recess (where it's mandatory to sit and hang out with your colleagues),  ski trips that go to New Zealand and Japan, uniforms and recess (again with the recess)! Everything from the hole punchers to the communal computers are new and we feel like first year teachers at times!

One thing that isn't new are the kids. Kids are kids. No matter what country or what strange accent they might have, they are all the same at heart. (I'm sure even Torah in Ethiopia could agree with that)

In a city where nothing is open past 5pm, we have been forced to explore all kinds of different activities. Dave is playing waterpolo 4 days a week (with two of those at 6am), I'm biking the 11 km to and from school everyday, there's the multitude of golf courses around us that we hit up for nine holes or we're forced to watch the sunset down at the beach. Last Friday night we went downtown to the free Opera that was put on for thousands of people who came equipped with full picnic baskets and bottles of wine. It's tough but somehow we're managing.

For Dave and I the secret isn't that mystical, it's simple: just take it all in and enjoy the good, the bad and even the ugly. (When we find the the bad and the ugly we'll let you know!)